Expiry: 
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - 00:00
 

Much has been written about the 27 year old Charles Darwin’s visit to the Cape in May / June 1836 aboard HMS Beagle, but few writers have considered the importance of Darwin’s subsequent correspondence with two scientists whom he met there, Andrew Smith (the father of South African Zoology) and John Herschel (an astronomer, mathematician, and chemist).

Mike Bruton will argue that Darwin’s discussions and correspondence with Herschel, in particular, may have changed the course of his life’s work and contributed significantly to the development of his iconic theory.  He will also point out that Darwin’s deep understanding of geology made it possible for him to develop the most influential theory in the history of biology.

About the Speaker:

Professor Mike Bruton is a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa and a recipient of their Marloth Medal - awarded to individuals for significant contributions to their scientific disciplines. Mike studied at Rhodes University in Grahamstown and carried out field research for his MSc and PhD in northern Zululand. He spent his postdoctoral year at the British Museum (Natural History) in London and then returned to Grahamstown.

He launched the new Department of Ichthyology & Fisheries Science and then took over from Margaret Smith as Director of the (then) JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology, now the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity. His research focussed on the life-history strategies of fishes and other vertebrates. 

He subsequently served as Head of Education at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town and launched the MTN Science Centre (now the Cape Town Science Centre). Since then he has lived and worked in Dubai, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia developing science centres and museums. He now consults to a company that develops multi-media experiences for informal educational institutions.  

There will be time for questions and there will be refreshments available after the talk.

  • Date: Wednesday 22 October 2025 at 18:00 
  • Venue: Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer Hall at the East London Museum
 
Category: 
Events Exhibitions Tours
 
Created
Thursday, October 9, 2025 - 09:24
 

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